The more brownie, the batter. | Photo via Sugar & Snow
With summer temps heating up, what better way to cool off than with a frozen treat? Whether you’re a gelato aficionado or looking for a dairy-free fix, there’s plenty to discover on the Asheville ice cream scene.
Hilltop Ice Cream Shop
The homemade ice cream has been a staple of Fairview for more than 15 years, but more recently, it’s brought its 30+ flavors (vegan and no sugar options included) to a new Woodfin shop. We’ll take a scoop of Apple Brown Bettie, please.
Sugar and Snow Gelato
While the crew works to find another space for a scoop shop after Helene, you can still indulge in the velvety smooth, sweet sorbet + gelato. Find it in freezers at local businesses like Second Gear and Beradu, or order pints for pickup from Sugar & Snow’s kitchen.
Found Ice Cream
Think mushrooms don’t belong in ice cream? Think again. The farmers market staple creates fresh flavors with foraged ingredients, churning treats made with chanterelles, pawpaw, pine, and fresh spices.
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” | Thursday, June 19-Sunday, July 6 | Times vary | Asheville Community Theatre | $18+ | Go “Under the Sea” to find out if Ariel’s dreams are really all she bargained for in this splashy play.
Friday, June 20
It’s A New Morning In Biltmore Village | 5-8 p.m. | New Morning Gallery | Free | Celebrate the community’s resilience as the institution reopens with a toast, live music, and a first look at handcrafted work from new and returning artists.
Saturday, June 21
Asheville Art in the Park | Saturday, June 21, Saturday, June 28 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | As you stroll through downtown, be sure to stop by the booths to see the treasures local artists have in store.
WNC Trans+ Pride | 12-6 p.m. | Hi-Wire Brewing Biltmore Village | Free | The inaugural event from Blue Ridge Pride, Youth OUTright, and Tranzmission will highlight trans vendors, performers, and presenters with opportunities for resource sharing and social connection.
Botanist & Barrel 8 Year Anniversary Party | 1-9 p.m. | Botanist & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop | Free | Cheers to eight years of natural wine, cider, and community connection with a day of tastings and live music.
Sunday, June 22
Asheville Veganfest | 12-5 p.m. | Pack Square Park | $10 suggested donation | Fuel up on plant-based eats, shop from local vendors, and keep the fun going with free face painting and a 360 photo booth.
Exhibition on Screen Series: “Van Gogh Poets & Lovers” | 2-4 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum | $15+ | Dig deeper into the creative process of the iconic artist during the documentary screening and following Q+A with art historian Julie Levin Caro.
Every pint of blood donated can bring comfort, stability, and hope to patients with SCD. | Photo by The Blood Connection
100,000. That’s how many Americans are affected by Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)every year. This often painful and life-threatening condition affects oxygen levels in the blood, causing major health problems for patients.
People with SCD require regular blood transfusions to increase oxygen and free blocked blood vessels. That’s where you come in.The Blood Connection needs more blood donors — especially people of color — to support those in need. Every pint donated can help ease suffering and improve outcomes.
Here’s how you can support SCD patients in our community:
Make an appointment at the Asheville Community Blood Center or a local mobile drive.
Donate blood (it only takes about an hour, or one episode of “Love Island”).
Earn $40-50 in TBC Rewards, which can be redeemed for e-gift cards.
Juneteenth. Around Asheville, there are lots of events to engage the community and commemorate the legacy of emancipation, like history tours at the YMI Cultural Center, a Juneteenth Gala, and a celebration on The Block.
Development
Buncombe County Commissioners approved developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Urban Atlantic, tapping the MD-based firm as the developer of the Ferry Road project. Plans include 600+ units, combining apartments and single-family homes, with more than half designated affordable at or below 80% AMI. Mountain Housing Opportunities will help develop the homes.
Regional
Roan Mountain Recreation Area will reopen to visitors tomorrow, June 20, coinciding with rhododendron festivals in Bakersville and Roan Mountain, TN. The area was closed for major infrastructure repairs caused by Helene, and additional work will continue on Mondays and Thursdays through July.
Eat
Asheville is heating up with the return of Heritage Fire. The traveling live-fire food fest will pop up at The Horse Shoe Farm on Sunday, July 13. Grab a ticket to fill your plate with bold flavors (and your cup with unlimited drinks) from chefs at local restaurants like Asheville Proper, The Blackbird, and Thai Pearl.
Cause
Environmental nonprofit, Conserving Carolina, has purchased 49 acres in Lake Lure to create a new trail system, including a loop surrounding the town, connecting Chimney Rock State Park, Weed Patch Mountain, and Youngs Mountain. However, Conserving Carolina and partners still need to acquire more land to complete the planned trails. (WLOS)
Award
“George Masa: A Life Reimagined,”the first comprehensive biography of the Japanese photographer and environmentalist, has earned the 2024 North Caroliniana Society Book Award and a 2025 Award of Excellence from the East Tennessee Historical Society. Purchase a copy to learn more about his life, documenting and protecting the Southern Appalachians.
Outdoors
For the seventh year, The Pisgah Conservancy and US Forest Service have partnered to give a new class of Pisgah River Rangers hands-on opportunities to practice freshwater and forest stewardship. This year, the interns will host plenty of hikes, nature journaling workshops, and guided river snorkeling tours — learn how to participate.
Civic
During Tuesday’s Buncombe County Commissioners meeting, Curt Euler was officially appointed as the County Attorney. He’s served as interim County Attorney since September, and has previously worked as an assistant attorney for both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County.
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Saturday is coming up roses because it marks the grand opening of Grey Dog Flowers’ farm stand in Mills River. Stop by to pick up a beautiful bouquet, tap your foot to fiddle music from The Riley Sisters, play lawn games, and revel in the shade of the creekside seating. Bonus: Bring a book for the farm’s Free Little Library to score 10% off your purchase.
Psst... next week, the flower farm will drop the details on its fall CSA, full of dahlias, zinnias, and amaranth.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Starting tomorrow, Rowan Coffee is introducing Cappy Hour at its new West Asheville location, offering half off apps and $3 cappuccinos every day from 5 to 7 p.m. Plus, on Fridays, slurp a rotating selection of $2 oysters beginning at 5 p.m.
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